Reef Bay Trail
One of St. John's signature hikes, this path descends nearly 1,000-ft from Centerline Road through tropical forest to the Reef Bay sugar mill. Along the way you'll see petroglyphs, a towering kapok tree and the ruins of several plantations; the return uphill is strenuous.
Highlights
Descent from the ridge into lush rainforest with giant trees
Historic ruins of four sugar estates, including Reef Bay Sugar Mill
Spur trail to ancient petroglyphs and seasonal waterfall
Beach at the bottom for cooling off and connecting with Genti Bay Trail
Trail statistics
Distance | 2.4 miles one way |
Elevation change | ~937 ft descent |
Difficulty | Moderate to Strenuous |
Trail type | Out and Back or Through hike |
Estimated time | 2–3 hours downhill; longer uphill return |
Parking | Limited pull‑out on Centerline Road; guided hikes sometimes include transport |
Description
The Reef Bay Trail is one of St. John’s signature hikes. Starting at Centerline Road, it drops 937 feet over 2.4 miles to the ruins of the Reef Bay Sugar Mill. The descent follows a shady old Danish road through a mosaic of tropical dry forest and moist ravine. Along the way hikers pass the trunk of a towering kapok tree and the crumbling walls of several sugar estates. Midway down, the Petroglyph Trail spur leads to ancient Taino rock carvings and a seasonal waterfalls. Closer to the coast, the forest opens and you reach the Reef Bay Sugar Mill, where interpretive signs explain sugar production and the lives of enslaved laborers. Nearby, the sandy beach at Genti Bay invites a swim before the long climb back. The uphill return is strenuous; many visitors join an organized boat tour that shuttles them back to Cruz Bay from Reef Bay, avoiding the climb. If you plan to hike down and back, start early, carry at least two liters of water and allow four to five hours for the round trip. The trail provides an immersive experience of the island’s natural beauty and plantation history.
Distance & Difficulty
2.4 mi (one way)
Moderate-Difficult
Trail Map & Gallery
